Jet propelled toy device



Nov. 1, 1966 s, s. w c s 3,281,984

JET PROPELLED I'OY DEVICE Filed May 28, 1964 United States Patent 3,281,984 JET PROPELLEI) TOY DEVICE Sammy S. Wechsler, 732 W. 183rd St., New York, N.Y. Filed May 28, 1964, Ser. No. 371,014 1 Claim. {CL 4695) This invention relates in general to a jet propelled toy device or vehicle and more specifically to a jet or air propelled toy boat and the like.

Heretofore, many eiforts have been made to produce a satisfactory toy vehicle utilizing an inflatable balloon as the means for providing the thrust or power to propel the toy vehicle. However, the prior known efforts of utilizing an inflatable balloon had certain disadvantages which rendered the operation of such toy devices difficult for children of the age for which they were intended. A major difficulty encountered with such prior known devices or novelties was that the child was first required to blow up the balloon, and then attach the inflated balloon to the toy. However, the difficulty with this operation was that the child, and particularly the smaller child, could not satisfactorily manipulate the connection or attachment of an inflated balloon to the toy. As a consequence, much of the air escaped from the balloon before the child was able to make the necessary connection. For this reason, the operating time of such. novelty or toy was greatly diminished. Thus, the child would become easily discouraged and for this reason loose much of the interest and play value in the toy.

In efforts to avoid this difficulty, other balloon operated toy novelties were conceived which required the child to cover an exhaust port with his finger while the balloon was blown up, although still attached to the toys or else the balloon was required to be pinched at the neck portion thereof upon the inflation thereof so as to prevent the air from escaping until the toy was readied for use. However, even with these type of balloon toy constructions, a child was required to manipulate the same in some special manner which often proved too diflicult for a small child. Consequently, the play value of such balloon operated devices was likewise seriously limited.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved balloon operated toy novelty in which the balloon thereof can be inflated without requiring the child to make any connection or disconnections of the balloon therefrom, and which toy can be placed into immediate operation without the requirement of any special manipulation on the part of the child.

Another object is to provide a balloon driven toy device constructed and arranged so that the balloon utilized for powering the same can be readily inflated while still attached to the toy and immediately placed in operation before any substantial amount of air is lost or exhausted therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a toy novelty constructed and arranged so as to be air powered in a manner which is both pleasing and amusing to small children, and very simple to operate, even for the smaller children.

Still another object is to provide a toy vehicle specifically constructed so as to be powered by the jet reaction of escaping air from an inflated balloon which always remains connected to the body of the toy novelty.

Still another object is to provide a balloon toy that is pleasing in appearance, easy to operate, inexpensive to fabricate and positive in operation.

The above objects, features and advantages of this invention are attained by a toy vehicle comprising a body shaped to simulate the hull of a boat or the like. The body is arranged and constructed so as to be powered by the jet reaction of air escaping from inflated balloon which is suitably connected to the body. This is attained by providing in the bottom of the body or the hull of the boat an exhaust port which is connected into communication with an exhaust duct formed beneath the bottom of the boat and which discharges to the stern end thereof. A11 inflatable bottom means is connected by means of a conduit or the like so as to be in communication with the exhaust port. Means defining a mouth piece is connected in communication with the inlet of the balloon, and it provides the means wherebythe balloon can be inflated as by blowing air therethrough.

In accordance with this invention, a one way or check valve is provided. The operation of the check valve is such that it permits air being blown into the mouth piece to be directed to the balloon to inflate the same, and which, when the blowing has ceased, is rendered inoperative by the back pressure of the air in the balloon to prevent the escape of air through the mouth piece. sequently, the air in the balloon is forced to exhaust through the small exhaust port and into the exhaust duct whereby the escaping air propels the boat when it is placed in water.

A feature of this invention resides in the utilization of a one way check valve disposed between the mouth piece and the balloon so as to render the balloon inflatable with a minimum of manual manipulation on the part of the child playing with the toy.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of controlling the escape of the exhausting air from the balloon in such a manner that the toy is rendered operative over an extended period of time.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the toy construction is relatively simple and which is pleasing and of constant enjoyment to the children playing with it.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision that the toy device is relatively indestructable and consequently, can be subjected to much abuse without affecting or impairing the operation thereof.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and description in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the toy device of the instant invention illustrated in its operative position.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan view of the toy device of the instant invention in which the balloon is not shown.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGURE 4 is a rear end view of the boat taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and,

FIGURE 6 is a detail sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a toy device 10 embodying the instant invention, In the illustrated embodiment, the toy device comprises a body portion 11 which is illustrated as simulating the hull of a boat. However, it will be hereinafter more readily understood, the principles of the instant invention can be rendered applicable to any simulated land vehicle which is suitably mounted on wheels. However, for purposes of description and illustration, the instant invention will be described as applied to a boat toy.

The configuration or shape of the boat hull 11 may assume any desired construction. In the illustrated arrangement, the boat hull 11 is preferably formed as an integral molded plastic part substantially as shown.

In the bottom 12 of the boat, adjacent the rear end thereof there is formed a very small exhaust port 13 which communicates with an exhaust duct or channel 14 integrally formed beneath the bottom 12 of the boat.

Con-.

As shown, the exhaust duct 14 is defined by an arcuate shaped channelway which extends from the exhaust port 13 to the stern end 15 of the hull and it is constructed and arranged so as to be submerged below the water line of the boat when the boat is placed in a body of water. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roof 16 of the exhaust duct 14 slopes upwardly toward the stern end 15 of the boat.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for connecting the inflatable balloon 17 to power the boat into communication with the exhaust port 12. While the means by which the balloon may be connected in communication with the exhaust port may be formed as an integral part of the boat hull in the illustrated embodiment, the means is illustrated as a distinct conduit section 18 which can be rendered readily detachable. Accordingly, the hull of the boat is provided with an integrally formed nipple 19 which circumscribes the exhaust port 12 in the bottom 12 of the boat. The conduit section 18 is formed so as to be snugly fitted into the nipple 19 provided therefor. Connected to the free end of the conduit 18 is the inflatable balloon 17 by which the instant toy is to be powered as will be hereinafter described.

To prevent detachment of the balloon 17 from the end of the conduit 18 when inflated, the upper end of the conduit 18 is provided with a laterally extending flange portion 20 which is adapted to be received within the neck 17A of the balloon 17 and thus form a friction tight fit therebetween, as best seen in FIG. 3.

Means are provided for inflating the balloon as by blowing. This means comprises a mouth piece 21 which is connected in communication with a branch conduit 22. As shown, the conduit section 18 is provided with an inlet opening 23 which connects with a branch extension 22. Fitted into the free end of the branch connection 22 is a conduit for defining the mouth piece 21 whereby the air blown therein is directed through the inlet opening to the balloon to inflate the same.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the inner end of the mouth piece 21 is provided with an inturned flange 21A defining an opening 24 through which the air blown into the mouth piece 21 is directed therethrough.

In accordance with this invention, a check valve 25 is interposed adjacent the free end of the mouth piece 21. The check valve 25 comprises a disc which is sized to cover the opening 24 defined by the inturned flange 21A, but which has a diameter which is less than the inside diameter of the conduit 22.

Means are provided within a branch conduit 22 to cooperate with the inner end of the mouth piece to limit the movement of the disc valve 25 therein. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, these means comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 26 connected to the internal surface of the branch conduit and which extend inwardly thereof. As shown, the ends of the ribs adjacent the apertured end of the mouth piece are provided with notched portions 26A which permit the valve disc 25 to be retained therein with a limited amount of movement. Thus, it will be noted that as air is blown into the mouth piece, the pressure of the air will displace the valve disc 25 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6 to permit the air being blown into the mouth piece to flow through opening 24 and around the peripheral portion of the valve disc 25 and into the branch conduit 22, through the air inlet 23 and into the balloon 17. Thus the balloon becomes readily inflated. While the exhaust port 13 is in open communication with the balloon 17, the size of the port 13 is so small that the tendency of any air to escape therethrough, while the balloon is being blown up is negligible. Consequently, upon ceasing of the blowing operation, back pressure of the air in the balloon acting on the valve disc 25 will cause the disc to seal the opening 24 and thus prevent the air from escaping out through the mouth piece.

The arrangement is such then that the child is not required to manipulate or remove the balloon from the toy in order to inflate it, nor is the child required to pinch the neck of the balloon before the toy boat is placed in operation. Since the opening of the exhaust port 12 is so small, the amount of air escaping therethrough is negligible and therefore very little air will escape therefrom before the boat is placed in operation within the water. Consequently, after the child has completely inflated the balloon, the boat can then be immediately placed in the water. Since the back pressure of the air operating on valve 25 forces it to the left to seal the opening 24, the air is then only free to exhaust only through the exhaust port 12 leading to the exhaust duct 14 in the bottom of the boat. Consequently, the air escapes slowly through the exhaust port 12 into the exhaust duct 14, thus propelling the boat in a forward direction.

The slow escaping air through the exhaust port 12 and through the water in the exhaust duct further produces a putt-putt sound which is amusing to the children and which causes the boat to be propelled in a pleasing and realistic manner until all of the air in the balloon has been exhausted therefrom. With the air totally exhausted, the child needs only to blow into the mouth piece 21 again to re-inflate the balloon, and then place the toy back into the water. It will thus become apparent that no special manipulation is required on the part of the child such as to cover any port openings, or to pinch the balloon, or to remove the balloon from the toy device to render the same operative. The child merely has to inflate the balloon by blowing through the mouth piece 21, and when inflated to place the boat into the water, the balloon maintaining substantially all of the air blown into it as the toy is placed in operation.

To facilitate inflating the balloon, the conduit 18 and connected branch 22 to which the balloon 17 is connected may be rotated from a position pointing directly to the stern as shown by solid lines of FIG. 2 to a position disposed with respect thereto and extending to one side of the boat, as seen in the dot-dash lines of FIG. 2. However, if desired, the mouth piece may be formed as an integral .part of the boat construction. If desired, a noise making reed (not shown) may be provided in the neck 17A of the balloon so that the exhausting air therefrom will simulate an appropriate sound as the toy is placed in operation, e.g. a fog horn, siren or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the construction of the toy is very simple and can be fabricated with a minimum of component parts. Also, it is to be noted that the balloon, once attached to the toy, need not be detached therefrom, in order to etffect operation of the device. The novel use of the check valve 25 further minimizes the manipulation otherwise required on the part of the child, to render the balloon inflatable and the toy device operative. Further the escaping air beneath the water line of the boat produces a result which is is both pleasing and effective in the operation of the instant device.

While the instant invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be readily understood and appreciated that variations and modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

What is claimed is: I

A jet propelled toy boat comprising,

(a) a body simulating the hull of a boat, said body having a bottom adapted to be submerged in water,

(b) means defining an exhaust channel formed beneath said bottom and which is submerged when placed in water, said channel having an upwardly inclining roof portion and opening towards the stern of said boat,

(0) means defining a small exhaust port formed in the roof of said exhaust channel,

(d) a nipple connected to said bottom circumscribing said exhaust port,

(e) a conduit having one end fitted into said nipple,

(f) a balloon connected to the other end of said conduit,

(g) means connected to said other end of said conduit for prohibiting the detachment of said balloon from said conduit when inflated,

(h) means defining an air inlet to said conduit,

(i) a branch conduit connected to said conduit in communication with said air inlet,

(j) a tubular mouthpiece having an outside diameter adapted to be frictionally fitted to said branch conduit to fixedly and immovably secure the same into the end of said branch conduit,

(k) said mouthpiece having an nturned flange adjacent the inner end thereof to define an opening,

(1) a check valve means interposed between said opening of said mouthpiece and said air inlet of said conduit,

(m) said check valve means including a free floating disc mounted for limited axial movement,

(n) and rib means formed on the internal surface of said branch conduit and said rib means having an end portion spaced from said inturned flange and which cooperates with said inturned flange of said mouthpiece for limiting the axial movement of said disc relative to said opening, said disc having a diameter greater than said opening but less than the internal diameter of said branch conduit whereby said disc permits said air blown into said mouthpiece to flow through said opening and around said disc to said balloon to inflate same and whereby the back pressure of the air in the balloon causes said disc to seal said opening of said mouthpiece to prohibit the escape of air therethrough when blowing has ceased, and thereby permitting the air to exhaust through said port through said exhaust channel to propel the boat through the water.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,924 12/1926 Witrnan .137-533.17 2,735,219 2/1956 Gates 46-95 FOREIGN PATENTS 417,317 10/1934 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

25 F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

F. B. LEONARD, L. I. BOVASSO, Assistant Examiners. 

